How many of you are preparing for the standardized tests in the weeks coming up? It is one thing that makes me feel very un-inspired to write. Sorry, this has just not wound up being a day that I want to share anything extraordinary that happened. I want to respectfully handle the requirements and make the most of the circumstances I have found myself in as a teacher. I tell my students, and I mean it, that the test is a chance for them to show what they know and have learned. I showed them what the test will look like and gave them a limited number of sample problems and questions, but that is it. Did I do enough? Are they going to get to the test and feel as confident and able as I know they are? Will they sit at the computer and freeze? On the other hand, did I give to much of my precious time with the students "teaching to the test" or as I see it, teaching them how to take the test?
I want it to be OK, I will take any results that are positive as proof of the students' brilliance, but I will not take poor results as "proof" that they lack genius. I won't. We need to take the test. We need to make the most of it. We need to let the children know that no matter how they perform on the test, we will not be disappointed.
I am so ready for this to be over with so I can get on to the fun part of teaching. I am planning a science fair for the end of the year. That is what really matters to me. I can't wait to see my genius students (I hope you know that when I refer to my genius students, I am referring to all my students) pursue subjects that they enjoy and can experience hands-on learning.
Deep breaths.
This will be over soon.
Slice of Life Day Ten: I don't even know...
I don't know what to write about tonight. This is a first. It is a little of too much going on over the course of today; I am both distracted and overwhelmed with ideas - not resulting in a great writing environment.
Today I had an opportunity to feel legitimate in my occupation, and at the end of the day I felt able to totally devote my time to my children. It was a beautiful day of feeling balance. Sometimes doing what I do, I feel like I am just not doing anything important. I try, but I don't always have the gratification that I am used to from brick-and-mortar teaching (that is what us virtual teachers call the rest of you). My role is often more of a supporting role, and sometimes I find that people don't know when to ask for support. As the time goes on though, I am becoming more aware of how to find the people who need help. Today was one of those days and it was a good feeling, which allowed me at the end of the day to relax and just spend time with the kids and catch up on some of the housework.
Today I had an opportunity to feel legitimate in my occupation, and at the end of the day I felt able to totally devote my time to my children. It was a beautiful day of feeling balance. Sometimes doing what I do, I feel like I am just not doing anything important. I try, but I don't always have the gratification that I am used to from brick-and-mortar teaching (that is what us virtual teachers call the rest of you). My role is often more of a supporting role, and sometimes I find that people don't know when to ask for support. As the time goes on though, I am becoming more aware of how to find the people who need help. Today was one of those days and it was a good feeling, which allowed me at the end of the day to relax and just spend time with the kids and catch up on some of the housework.
Slice of Life Day Eight: Literacy
Each day my toddler meticulously lines up his letters, either on the fridge or the dishwasher. This picture does not even show how well he does this task, since I had to clean some off the floor after his sister came around to do what she does.
Speaking of his sister, at (nearly) one she was trying to track with her finger while I read a book to her this morning!
These examples go to show the value of creating a literate environment for babies. Pre-reading skills are simple to introduce and make a world of difference for young children.
Slice of Life Day Nine: My Sweetness
Today while driving home from the grocery store NPR was on the radio. I wasn't paying much attention, but I think the program that was playing may have been This American Life. Someone was telling a story about something and described a woman saying "she spared every expense." It made me laugh out loud.
I don't know if that person was talking about a mother, or family member, or what, but it made me think. How will I be described by my grown children. So I am considering what my two year old is experiencing with me, what is life like from his very important perspective.
Our kids see how embarrassing we are, and looking back as adults how do they interpret their memories? I can't base all parenting choices on a fear of what he'll think when he grows, but I will amuse myself from time to time thinking about that.
Slice of Life Day Seven: Emotional Shopping
I do not consider myself an emotional shopper. I am looking for a home and my emotions are very tied up in the search. Biggest purchase of my life and I'm all tied up with emotions. I am starting to feel like I am not ready for this. I am so certain that I need this for the family, but I am just not sure I am emotionally ready to handle to purchase process.
Here goes nothing, our offer went through today, so we'll see what happens next. I am emotionally exhausted tonight.
Here goes nothing, our offer went through today, so we'll see what happens next. I am emotionally exhausted tonight.
Slice of Life Day Six: Spring
I'm no poet, but here goes nothing...
Before the Snow became bad
I watched birds flying all around outside my window.
Longest winter, coldest nights.
Not long
Not long
Not forever.
At last the days lengthen
I arrive to fetch my babes and the sun has not yet set!
Melt SNOW! Fall icicles!
Soon I will see to the left and right crossing the street.
Soon, in my spare time, I will be walking through the neighborhood.
Not long now.
Slice of Life Day Five: Don't know what to write, for the right reasons!
This Slice of Life Challenge is doing me a lot of good. Each day I think about fifty times maybe I should use that for my slice today! I'm sure it is obvious that I am not a very experienced writer. My goals are to become a better writer, and a better writing teacher. My goal is also to do something for myself, and perhaps find some new friends and peers in the process...
So for today I will just free-write some of the things that are running circles around my head:
Feeling sick and being a parent - somehow we are supposed to take turns on the sickness so one of us is left to take care of the kids.
The kids are growing too fast, in many ways they are taking care of themselves.
We are hunting for a house... put in an offer today on a property that my husband saw and I did not. We'll see what happens.
I made pancakes for breakfast, they made me super happy. When I find a gluten-free recipe that I want to make more than once, that is a great find!
There is no such thing as a normal week around here, it seems like an old and tired topic to write about, but it is so relevant.
We cannot please everyone, personally or professionally, grow a tougher skin and let those nasty comments roll off.
Maybe in the days to come I will flesh out one or two of these and try to make something worth reading. Thanks for sharing this journey with me!
So for today I will just free-write some of the things that are running circles around my head:
Feeling sick and being a parent - somehow we are supposed to take turns on the sickness so one of us is left to take care of the kids.
The kids are growing too fast, in many ways they are taking care of themselves.
We are hunting for a house... put in an offer today on a property that my husband saw and I did not. We'll see what happens.
I made pancakes for breakfast, they made me super happy. When I find a gluten-free recipe that I want to make more than once, that is a great find!
There is no such thing as a normal week around here, it seems like an old and tired topic to write about, but it is so relevant.
We cannot please everyone, personally or professionally, grow a tougher skin and let those nasty comments roll off.
Maybe in the days to come I will flesh out one or two of these and try to make something worth reading. Thanks for sharing this journey with me!
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